- Email: [email protected]
Tourism planning and development issues
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
It is unfortunate but nonetheless true that persons often evaluate the legitimacy of an area of study on the basis of the texts published in that area. Given the naive simplicity of many recreation texts it is no wonder that parks and recreation students cover their books in triple-ply paper bags. never put their names in them and always carry them close to their chests. It is also a reason why a growing number of faculty members are willing to spend countless hours xeroxing and risk penalties for violation of copyright laws rather than require that students purchase textbooks. Howard and Crompton should be applauded for their more sophisticated and realistic approach to park and recreation administration. If nothing else, it was enjoyable to read an administrtion/management text that was different in its approach and in its subject matter. Although it is likely that many of the more traditional persons in the field will disagree with the strong emphasis placed on business concepts and strategies, they should still find the book useful and worth reading. 0 0
Tourism Planning and Development Issues Edited by Donald E. Hawkins, Elwood L. Shafer, and James M. Rovelstad. George Washington University (Dept. of Human Kinetics and Leisure Studies, 817 23rd. St. NW Washington, DC 20052, USA) 1980, 473 pp. (tables, charts, references) $13.95 (paper). Fred Lawson
Dept. of Hotel, Catering and Tourism Management University of Surrey, United Kingdom This book is one of three publications arising from the International Symposium on “Tourism and the Next Decade,” held at the George Washington University, in March 1979. It includes 38 papers and discussion points encompassing The Future: Natural Resources Issues: Economic and Social Issues: and Methodology Issues. In looking towards the future, the first two papers on “Tourism and the Next Decade” and ‘Where Are We Now?’ are very general. “Holland and Tourism in the Next Decade” brings the subject into sharper focus with a review of statistics of the Netherlands. “Tourism in the 1980s: The Ultimate Constraint” examines attitudes of the hospitality industry towards changes in the leisure markets. In “The Future” predictions are made to the year 2000 with regard to the use of natural and urban environments for leisure and the changes which could affect work and people’s lifestyles. The Natural Resources section includes a valuable paper full of details on “Tourism Development and Natural Resources Conservation” in Mexico. This is followed by an equally interesting paper on “Managing Private Rural Land as a Visual Resource.” In the next six papers consideration is given to 1983 ANNALS OF TOURISM RESEARCH
445
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
the question of combining tourism with forestry management both in terms of aesthetic management and the effects of harvesting. “Compatibility Planning for Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources” considers the theoretical criteria whilst “Optimal Densities of Forest Land in the Tourist Regions of Central Europe” gives evaluation techniques and empirical research. “Recreation Activity Clusters in Resource Settings” also provides a methodological approach. “International Aspects of National Park Systems” considers their value to tourism, education, and other values. Other papers analyze the growth and impacts of tourism in the Himalayas, on the Cote d’Azur, France, and in Selected Caribbean Countries. The participation of local population and local interests are also taken into account in considering ecological and cultural tourism development. Economic and social issues arising from Tourism includes methods of regional assessment of tourism development potential and examples of regional development models for Appalachia and Scotland. A spatial analysis of the US lodging industry shows the changes from 1963-1972. Utilization of ski areas in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is also analyzed. Two papers cover methods of estimating tourist demand and another considers the factors which influence decision-making. The Methodology Issues are concerned with approaches towards estimating demand and consumer satisfaction. Travel patterns in a metropolitan area and methods using accounting to evaluate international tourism projects are also analyzed. Future scenario forecasting in Latin America and problems of projecting recreation use in supply and demand analysis are also described. The book finishes with the question ‘When do the data catch up to the theory?” As a general comment. this is a useful summary of individual experiences. Like all conferences it suffers from the lack of continuity and structure: each paper is self-contained and, whilst many are interesting, they do not contribute to each other. The disjointed switching of subjects makes it very hard to remember any particular details and the massive size does not help referencing. However, as a summary of the “state of the art” this book has tremendous value. It really covers a vast field of experience with first class contributors from many countries and should be on the shelf or desk of every tourism specialist. 0 0
446
1983 ANNALS OF TOURISM RESEARCH
IN REVIEW
It is unfortunate but nonetheless true that persons often evaluate the legitimacy of an area of study on the basis of the texts published in that area. Given the naive simplicity of many recreation texts it is no wonder that parks and recreation students cover their books in triple-ply paper bags. never put their names in them and always carry them close to their chests. It is also a reason why a growing number of faculty members are willing to spend countless hours xeroxing and risk penalties for violation of copyright laws rather than require that students purchase textbooks. Howard and Crompton should be applauded for their more sophisticated and realistic approach to park and recreation administration. If nothing else, it was enjoyable to read an administrtion/management text that was different in its approach and in its subject matter. Although it is likely that many of the more traditional persons in the field will disagree with the strong emphasis placed on business concepts and strategies, they should still find the book useful and worth reading. 0 0
Tourism Planning and Development Issues Edited by Donald E. Hawkins, Elwood L. Shafer, and James M. Rovelstad. George Washington University (Dept. of Human Kinetics and Leisure Studies, 817 23rd. St. NW Washington, DC 20052, USA) 1980, 473 pp. (tables, charts, references) $13.95 (paper). Fred Lawson
Dept. of Hotel, Catering and Tourism Management University of Surrey, United Kingdom This book is one of three publications arising from the International Symposium on “Tourism and the Next Decade,” held at the George Washington University, in March 1979. It includes 38 papers and discussion points encompassing The Future: Natural Resources Issues: Economic and Social Issues: and Methodology Issues. In looking towards the future, the first two papers on “Tourism and the Next Decade” and ‘Where Are We Now?’ are very general. “Holland and Tourism in the Next Decade” brings the subject into sharper focus with a review of statistics of the Netherlands. “Tourism in the 1980s: The Ultimate Constraint” examines attitudes of the hospitality industry towards changes in the leisure markets. In “The Future” predictions are made to the year 2000 with regard to the use of natural and urban environments for leisure and the changes which could affect work and people’s lifestyles. The Natural Resources section includes a valuable paper full of details on “Tourism Development and Natural Resources Conservation” in Mexico. This is followed by an equally interesting paper on “Managing Private Rural Land as a Visual Resource.” In the next six papers consideration is given to 1983 ANNALS OF TOURISM RESEARCH
445
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
the question of combining tourism with forestry management both in terms of aesthetic management and the effects of harvesting. “Compatibility Planning for Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources” considers the theoretical criteria whilst “Optimal Densities of Forest Land in the Tourist Regions of Central Europe” gives evaluation techniques and empirical research. “Recreation Activity Clusters in Resource Settings” also provides a methodological approach. “International Aspects of National Park Systems” considers their value to tourism, education, and other values. Other papers analyze the growth and impacts of tourism in the Himalayas, on the Cote d’Azur, France, and in Selected Caribbean Countries. The participation of local population and local interests are also taken into account in considering ecological and cultural tourism development. Economic and social issues arising from Tourism includes methods of regional assessment of tourism development potential and examples of regional development models for Appalachia and Scotland. A spatial analysis of the US lodging industry shows the changes from 1963-1972. Utilization of ski areas in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is also analyzed. Two papers cover methods of estimating tourist demand and another considers the factors which influence decision-making. The Methodology Issues are concerned with approaches towards estimating demand and consumer satisfaction. Travel patterns in a metropolitan area and methods using accounting to evaluate international tourism projects are also analyzed. Future scenario forecasting in Latin America and problems of projecting recreation use in supply and demand analysis are also described. The book finishes with the question ‘When do the data catch up to the theory?” As a general comment. this is a useful summary of individual experiences. Like all conferences it suffers from the lack of continuity and structure: each paper is self-contained and, whilst many are interesting, they do not contribute to each other. The disjointed switching of subjects makes it very hard to remember any particular details and the massive size does not help referencing. However, as a summary of the “state of the art” this book has tremendous value. It really covers a vast field of experience with first class contributors from many countries and should be on the shelf or desk of every tourism specialist. 0 0
446
1983 ANNALS OF TOURISM RESEARCH